Beef Ambassadors Solid Investment for Future

I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of the National Beef Ambassador Program. I got my start in 1998 when I was 10 years old. I entered the South Dakota Jr. Beef Ambassador Contest with my speech, "Wandering and Wondering About Beef," a speech that showed consumers how to select and prepare the correct cut of beef for any occasion. I couldn't wait to be old enough to be a senior contestant. I dreamed of becoming a South Dakota and National Beef Ambassador, so I could have the opportunity to travel the country and speak with consumers and media representatives about the benefits of beef in the diet and about the ranchers that work hard to produce a safe, healthy nutritious protein. As my dreams became reality, I wasn't yet aware that the program would be a launching pad for my career in agriculture. Over the weekend, I helped judge and select the new representatives for South Dakota at the South Dakota Summer Spotlight in Huron, S.D. and I want to take this opportunity to introduce our newest beef ambassador!

Congratulations to Calli Pritchard, the new 2010 South Dakota Beef Ambassador. She will be representing our state at the 2010 National Beef Ambassador Contest in Fort Smith, AR this October. Pritchard will be a freshman at South Dakota State University this fall, and she is excited about her year of service on behalf of the beef industry. Listen to her fresh take on agriculture today. To learn more about the National Beef Ambassador Program, to donate to support the program or to get a young person involved in your home state, link here.

BEEF Daily Quick Fact: Did you know the ambassadors have launched a brand new blog? Check it out here to follow their activities around the country!